It was a dark, snowy night. In January, Tommy Sullivan, a 14-year-old boy, killed himself,

but only after he murdered his own mother and set their home on fire.

This case has haunted Jefferson Township, New Jersey, for over 30 years and paved the way

for the Satanic panic, as it was later discovered that Tommy was part of a Satanic cult.

This panic led to communities around the nation enforcing draconian measures to protect children

from what they perceived to be the devil's influence. The Catholic Church itself was convinced

this was a case of demonic possession. Was Tommy alone in the heinous act? Is this cult still

around and in power? Is Tommy really dead? Well, if this terrifying case has peaked your interest,

then listen to The Devil Within, a new podcast where you can finally find out the truth behind

the grizzly murder. Wondery has sponsored this channel to bring you this preview of their

chilling new true crime podcast. Enjoy the segment you are about to hear, and while you're listening,

follow The Devil Within on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or you can binge the entire season right

now by joining Wondery Plus in the Wondery app. You can also just check the link in the show notes or

description.

In January of 1988, a small town in the forests of northern New Jersey was rocked by a night of terrible violence.

This is the true account of the murder of Betty Ann Sullivan, a 37-year-old wife and mother of two.

The brutal, ritualistic nature of Mrs. Sullivan's murder only begins to scratch the surface of

this heinous crime. Even today, more than 30 years later, the circumstances surrounding her death

are still debated in the community. And of the people who remember that night that still live in town,

there aren't many of them that are willing to talk about it. The story made national headlines

because it fit into a larger narrative and idea, a fear that had existed for the most part within

the margins of the American social landscape, but would now be standing front and center. That fear

...